Once Upon A Time
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Tony Blair, Sir Roger Moore, David Jason and June Whitfield are just a few of the celebrities who have recalled moments from their childhood in a new book by Catholic writers Greg Watts and Vince Powell.
With a foreword by Michael Aspel, Once Upon A Time provides glimpses into the childhoods of over fifty well-known people. Written in the form of letters, their recollections range from the poignant to the humorous to the moving. Part of the proceeds go to support the NSPCC.
Greg Watts is the author of a number of books, including From Gangland to Promised Land and Don't Drop the Coffin. Vince Powell has written some of the most successful TV sit coms, including Bless This House and Love Thy Neighbour. He also produced the video A Journey to Lourdes.
"We wrote to around 300 celebrities, asking them to contribute to the book. It was very interesting, and surprising, to see who replied and who didn't. For example, Tony Blair did, but Cherie Blair's assistant said that she was unable to. Chris Tarrant wrote enthusiastically about going fishing as a child. But Cilla Black's publishers refused to grant permission us to reproduce an extract from her autobiography. Vince and I are very pleased with the range of celebrities we have managed to find for the book," said Greg Watts.
Once Upon A Time by Vince Powell and Greg Watts with a foreword by Michael Aspel is published by Continuum, priced £8.99.